Bore Scoring paranoia?

[Zantaz]

Having read a few forum posts recently regarding bore scoring symptoms (thanks to GT4) I started to be a little concerned about the increased amount of oil my 997 was using ever since it was serviced last month. The OPC topped it up a couple of weeks ago but this weekend it was running low again and the left exhaust pipe was somewhat sootier than normal.

So I booked my 997 in with the dealer earlier this week for the car to be checked out and I've been informed that the cylinders are scored on bank 2 (cylinders 4/5/6) and will require repairing.

I've owned the car for 11 months, driven less than 5k miles (mainly motorway and it's no on 44k), no track days and always ensured the oil/engine temperatures at recommended operating temperature before taking the car over 3k revs (which to be honest is not that frequent given I'm not a fast driver). It makes me wonder whether the car had scored bores ever since I first purchased it from the OPC (I was told they don't check them) and it's developed further over time. Unfortunately I'll never know.

The car is under OPC warranty so the repairs are covered but I'm somewhat bemused because I've often felt that these inherant 'weaknesses' in the engines are somewhat exageratted by internet forums however days like today lead me to believe maybe I was naive in dismissing the issue as a myth. I read about this problem before and I felt I'd mitigated the risk by purchasing an OPC car with the warranty and I'm partly glad a I did. The only concern now is whether OPC will refurbish to an improved state which prevents this from occuring again. Hopefully I'll find out more information in the next few days.

Bizarrely I still love my 997 and I still have no desire to sell it regardless of the problem it's developed.

 

[robnob]

that's a bummer for you chap and I'm sorry to read this, but great reassurance having the OPC warranty.
although I had a 964 in the 90s I'm relatively new to the 997 scene, and will be looking to buy when my current motor sells, so this bore score issue is prevalent in the mind when I am ready to buy.
I'm quite amazed that OPCs don't actually check this issue, given the adverse and worrying press and sadly in your instance and also another recent buyer (apollokr1ed i think) this seems to be coming to the fore more and more.
As GT4 mentioned on one of the posts, this can have been developing over the years with POs, irrespective of how you have looked after your car.

I hope all goes well for you and it doesn't detract from your enjoyment and doesn't hit your pocket too hard as well.
Chin up

cheers

Robbo

 

[Zantaz]

Nah, it doesn't affect my enjoyment, partly relieved it's occured whilst it's within the OPC warranty. I had set aside some cash for a rebuild once the extended warranty had completed anyway.

apollokr1ed has probably done the smart thing, buying a car knowing it's condition and having negotiated part if not all the rebuild cost against off the asking price. Getting Hartech involved as well was wise.

 

[kas750]

I am sorry to hear about the problem with your car and hopefully it will be rectified.

I was looking to buy a black 996 c4s and all 3 of the cars that I had inspected had bore scoring on the same bank of cylinders.

In each case the owners were not prepared to negotiate a compromise on price in consideration of the damage and were happy to sell the car to another less searching buyer, including a car that is advertised on this forum.

The last independent to check a car stated when asked, whether they would be happy to sell a car in that condition that most people would not check a car to the extent that I did!!

Caveat emptor has never been more appropriate. :nooo:

 

[glasgow]

all 3 of the cars that I had inspected had bore scoring on the same bank of cylinders.

Kas750, sorry for my silly question..... how would you know a car has got bore scoring - it is not part of the 111 point check!

Ahmed

 

[lofi]

all 3 of the cars that I had inspected had bore scoring on the same bank of cylinders.

Kas750, sorry for my silly question..... how would you know a car has got bore scoring - it is not part of the 111 point check!

Ahmed

Take the car to an indie for inspection. Done it recently and the bore scope test cost a hours labour.

 

[apollokre1d]

Hi all,

Yes sadly when I found out the car had the issue Hartec said it's been happening to more and more (Gen 1) cars.

Like you I was lead to believe only 5-10% of cars developed this issue and just remember thinking how unlucky I was to have finally found the one I wanted with relatively low miles (25K) and it had this issue already. Managed to knock off half of the rebuild costs given I was told it was at an early stage and told I shouldn't worry about it. At the time I thought 'well why not walk away and just buy another car without it". Trouble I had was finding another car I wanted and having to get it to Hartec and pay another £300 each time would start to add up.

That aside what made me go for it in the end was given what they were saying about so many Gen 1 cars seem to be developing it and Hartec said it was not a concern and even said it was illegible to be placed under their maintenance plan I thought may as well plan for worst case and save up the balance to get it sorted.

Zantaz are you going to get OPC to do a bore scope test to find out if your car has the issue?

Good Luck!
-AP

 

[bazhart]

Nice to read some balanced comments. We are in a funny position because when we report or respond on this subject we get accused of scare mongering and trying to drum up buisness but actually we know how many are going to suffer this problem and actually understate the issue - not overstate it.

At least our own internal work gave us the confidence to go ahead with a lot of investment in tests, repair options, equipment and re-organising the factory - in anticipation of the workload increasing - which it has.

The problem is not going to go away and we are well placed to help those without the Porsche warranty (or when the cars are too old to be covered by them anyway).

While we have always gone along with the estimates of 5% failures - in time we actually think that figure will multiply a lot.

Apart from that however - they are great cars (I drive one) and before they fail or after they are fixed - they must be one of the best sports cars ever manufactured.

We have seen no evidence that a replaced new engine has any different features that would prevent the problem re-occuring (except that it will be ok for a similar mileage again) and have even rebuilt a replaced engine already - so although the Porsche warranty covers the replacement - it does not solve the problem whereas our engines rebuilt to full spec have numerous technical changes incorportated in theme the minimise future problems or eliminate them altogether - and for a lower cost.


Baz

 

[davidjf7]

Glad you're covered by the OPC warranty :thumb:

My anecdotal evidence is that I know 3 people with 996s and 997.1s and two of them had to have their engines rebuilt

I'm thinking about replacing my 993 with either a 996 or 997 for everyday use, but the more I read the more I keep looking at Gen 2 997s

Quite a bit of budget creep though as the cheapest ones are at least £35k :grin:

Still, with a bit of man-maths that factors in the cost of a re-build I think I can justify the new budget :?:

 

[Martian]

I know bore scoring/IMS only affects something like 5% (and rising!), but I still cannot believe Porsche created this troublesome engine. Porsche teutonic engineering eh! :x

 

[Zantaz]

Zantaz are you going to get OPC to do a bore scope test to find out if your car has the issue?

Good Luck!
-AP

Hi AP - OPC did the bore scope check to confirm the cylinders were scored. The cars at the dealers at the moment being repaired.

 

[Zantaz]

all 3 of the cars that I had inspected had bore scoring on the same bank of cylinders.

Kas750, sorry for my silly question..... how would you know a car has got bore scoring - it is not part of the 111 point check!

Ahmed

Correct it's not but I'd imagine you can pay the OPC to do this or if outside the OPC warranty via a Porsche specialist such as Hartech. The former is likely to be more expensive than the latter.

 

[Zantaz]

We have seen no evidence that a replaced new engine has any different features that would prevent the problem re-occuring (except that it will be ok for a similar mileage again) and have even rebuilt a replaced engine already - so although the Porsche warranty covers the replacement - it does not solve the problem whereas our engines rebuilt to full spec have numerous technical changes incorportated in theme the minimise future problems or eliminate them altogether - and for a lower cost.


Baz

This is probably what concerns me most. I had put budget aside to fund a future rebuild. Seems like I'll need to keep that banked or buy a Gen II or Turbo. Unfortunately I really like the look of my C2S.

You would have thought Porsche would have at least attempted to address the problem on a rebuild rather than replace like for like.

 

[apollokre1d]

Hi Zantaz,

Sorry about that you did say that in your original post and another earlier this week.

Do you think you will continue with the OPC warranty next year after the rebuild? Also do you know if after a car reaches a certain age (say 10 years) do they stop offering this service?

-AP

 

[Linda]

Does the OPC repair or just bung in a new engine?